496ème fête de l'Oiseau

On the programme: Friday 24th May 7pm: Presentation of the keys to the city and drinks reception 8pm: Ball for Royalty 2024 9pm: Torchlight procession (departure from Place Perdtemps, on sale in the hall from 8.30pm) 10.30pm: Fireworks display 11pm: Concert by El Fango x Fredo Saturday 25th May 9am: Opening of the Tir du Roi 2025 4pm: Shooting of the Roitelet and Roitelette 2025 8pm: Queen's Ball 2025, presented by Hugo Magnin Sunday 26th May 10.30am: Aubade for Tougin 11.15am: Aubade for the Queen 2024 (chemin des Galas in Gex) and Aubade for the King 2024 (chemin du Martinet in Cessy) 3pm: Grand medieval parade 6pm: Musical concert 7pm: Knights' Banquet (book your meal online) 8pm: Concert by The Rolling Dads According to legend, the festival is associated with the image of Léonette de Joinville. A historical figure, Léonette, heiress of the barony of Gex, married Simon de Joinville in 1252. For half a century, she was the sovereign of the barony of Gex, from Châtillon-en-Michaille to Versoix. Around 1225, at the wedding of Léonette, Dame de Gex, to the Prince of Joinville, great celebrations and festivities brightened up the bailiwick. The table of the new spouses and the lords was filled with the most varied dishes. Superb birds with golden and juicy flesh, as tempting as they could be, aroused the desire of some of the manants. Some of the more daring ones approached the lordly table and demanded a share of these birds. The Prince of Joinville, outraged by such impudence, decided to hang the manants to punish them for their insolence. More lenient, the gentle Léonette intercedes on behalf of her people and a pardon is granted. To settle the dispute, the birds are hoisted to the top of a pike. The best shooters practise on this target and their skill grants them this much desired share. This game, which originated in a quarrel, amuses the lords, who decide to repeat it every Trinity Sunday on the anniversary of their lady's wedding. The winner is proclaimed King of the Bird and, if he repeats this feat, obtains a title and rank in the States. And so from year to year, from century to century, the legend of the Bird enlivens the festivals of the Bailiwick of Gex.